Exploring Neurodiversity with Adina Levy from Play. Learn. Chat

In this episode, we are mythbusting ND affirming practice. I hear too often phrases from people who don't quite get what neurodiversity affirming practice is, like 'If we just let kids do whatever they want and don't extend them, they won't learn essential life skills'. Join me as I discuss what it means to support neurodivergent children and explore how affirming practices don't just allow children to do whatever they want but rather guide them in extending their abilities in a supportive environment.

We'll explore different approaches to challenging situations, like swimming lessons for an autistic child, and how a truly affirming approach differs from traditional and passive methods. We'll also discuss the importance of safety, connection, and respect in learning environments, and how meeting these fundamental needs allows children to learn new skills effectively.

• Free Webinar For Professionals who Support Neurodivergent Children - Neurodiversity Affirming Practice Kickstart: 3 Actionable Tips to Do Today - Register here
• Free podcast training for Speech Therapists: Evolve Your Affirming Practice - Register here
• Course for Speech Therapists - Affirming Communication for Autistic Children https://playlearnchat.com/acac-course/

Podcast Link: https://pod.link/1625478932

Website: www.playlearnchat.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/play.learn.chat

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/play.learn.chat

In this episode, we're unpacking some of the nuances behind behavioural strategies when supporting autistic children. I discuss how neurodiversity-affirming approaches can look in practice, focusing on connection over compliance and the need to find the deep reason behind a behaviour. I also touch on how behavioural approaches show up in our work and why it's crucial to think deeply about whether these approaches truly serve the best interests of the child.

Links and resources mentioned:

• FREE CHEATSHEET Neurodiversity Affirming Approaches to Supporting Behaviour - Download here
• Webinar: Affirming Approach to Understanding and Supporting Behaviour (Use code POD10 for 10% OFF) - Learn more here
• Free podcast training for Speech Therapists: Evolve Your Affirming Practice - Register for free here
• Course for Speech Therapists - Affirming Communication for Autistic Children - https://playlearnchat.com/acac-course/

Podcast Link: https://pod.link/1625478932

Website: www.playlearnchat.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/play.learn.chat

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/play.learn.chat

In today's episode, I chat with the fabulous Alex Zachos from Meaningful Speech, a senior speech language pathologist with 20 years of experience. Alex specialises in Gestalt Language Processing and has revolutionised how we understand and support language development using Marge Blanc's Natural Language Acquisition framework.

Alex shares practical tips for putting these theories into action when you connect with children who are GLPs, including how to support GLPs who are AAC users.

Alex and I would both love to hear your feedback and thoughts, so feel free to email me [email protected] or get in touch with us on Instagram – Alex is @meaningfulspeech and I'm @play.learn.chat

Connect with Alex:

https://www.instagram.com/meaningfulspeech/

http://meaningfulspeech.com/

Links and resources discussed:

Podcast episode 44, with Marge Blanc - Gestalt Language Processing, Natural Language Acquisition & the State of Research - https://playlearnchat.com/podcast-44/

Free resource from Alex: Gestalt Detective GLP Handbook (2nd Edition) - Click here

More free Resources (inlcuding the Free Masterclass we talked about) from Meaningful Speech - https://www.meaningfulspeech.com/free-resources

Self-paced Courses from Meaningful Speech (Use the code 'ADINA' for 5% OFF)- https://www.meaningfulspeech.com/Self-Paced-Courses

Adina's course for Speech Therapists - Affirming Communication for Autistic Children - https://playlearnchat.com/acac-course/ 🥳 Doors opening soon! Get on the waitlist now to get the best offer when we're open for registrations!

Podcast Link: https://pod.link/1625478932

Website: www.playlearnchat.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/play.learn.chat

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/play.learn.chat

In this episode, I want to thank you for listening to the podcast over the last year or however long you've been here. It has been such a joy, delivering these thoughts and ideas to your magical ears. I'm always open to feedback, questions, suggestions, what you'd like me to cover in the next year.

As we wrap up the year, I invite you to revisit earlier episodes and if you are an allied health practitioner and you own a private practice, join my free mini-course, Streamline Your Practice. This course will help you streamline your processes and make your services more neurodiversity-affirming and accessible. I'll share a sneak peek of what's inside the course, like setting communication preferences that respect both your needs and your clients'.

Links:

Join Streamline Your Practice here: https://playlearnchat.kit.com/streamline-your-practice-course

Contact me with feedback suggestions for the podcast for 2025: [email protected]

Podcast Link: https://pod.link/1625478932

Website: www.playlearnchat.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/play.learn.chat

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/play.learn.chat

In this episode, we're redefining what 'evidence' means in the context of disability support and questioning who gets to decide what counts as valid. I'll also share updates about Australia's National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), including changes related to art and music therapy. The NDIS is meant to fund and support disabled people to access what they need for a decent quality of life, but there are challenges worth discussing. Language warning! I get a little bit sweary in this episode because I feel strongly about these topics. If you're listening with kids nearby, you might want to pop on some headphones! Links:

• Eye Contact Survey Results - www.playlearnchat.com/eye-contact
• Podcast Episode 43 - https://playlearnchat.com/podcast-43/
• Making Groups Happen - https://playlearnchat.com/making-groups-happen-webinar/
• Your Streamlined Practice - https://differentlyaligned.com/your-streamlined-practice-workshop/
• Podcast Guest Invitation - https://playlearnchat.com/contact/
• Business Support for Neurodivergent Business Owners - https://differentlyaligned.com/
• Contact us at [email protected]

Podcast Link: https://pod.link/1625478932

Website: www.playlearnchat.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/play.learn.chat

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/play.learn.chat

With the end of the year coming in fast, many of us are experiencing a lot of change at the moment. For my family, this is a house move, and my daughter starting school soon. We're all about saying "yes" as much as possible, to help us feel okay and connected during this busy and potentially tricky time.

In this episode, I share the 5 types of "yes" that you can consider, to support neurodivergent kids and adults, and anyone at all of course, through change:

• Sensory Yes
• Activity Yes
• Control Yes
• Relationship Yes
• Flexibility Yes

Listen in to hear examples of what these kinds of "yes" can look like, to support yourself, your family, or a kid in your world through a time of flux.

Podcast Link: https://pod.link/1625478932

Website: www.playlearnchat.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/play.learn.chat

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/play.learn.chat

In this episode, I had the absolute joy of chatting with Marge Blanc about Gestalt Language Processing (GLP) and Natural Language Acquisition (NLA). Marge has spent over 50 years supporting children's language development, and her openness and curiosity have shaped so much of what we know today. We discuss how paying close attention to children's unique communication and interactions can inform how we support them. We cover these areas and more:

• Key terms - Marge defines GLP, ALP, and NLA
• History and shifts in our understanding of GLP and NLA
• The state of research and the various forms that our 'evidence' can and should take
• Research gaps and future directions
• Responding to critics of NLA and GLP
• Simple and deeply important strategies to support Autistic children - for parents and professionals

This episode is an insightful overview of 'where we've been and where we're going'... and my deep overt admiration for Marge's work! Whether you're a speech therapist, educator, or parent, you'll come away inspired to support Neurodivergent children in meaningful, individualised ways. Marge and I would both love to hear your feedback and thoughts, so feel free to email me [email protected] or get in touch with us on Instagram - Marge is @blancmarge and I'm @play.learn.chat Links and resources discussed: The Communication Development Center: https://communicationdevelopmentcenter.com/ The Speech Den Gestalt Language Processors Conference: https://register.glpconference.co.uk/gestalt-language-processors-2024-conference Barry Prizant's articles about Echolalia: https://barryprizant.com/resources/downloads/echolalia-articles/ Marge Blanc's article 'Finding the Words to tell the "whole" story - Natural Language Acquisition on the Autism Spectrum(2005) https://communicationdevelopmentcenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Finding-the-words-to-tell-the-whole-story.pdf Uniquely Human Podcast Episode 114 - Marge Blanc and Alex Zachos speaking with Barry Prizant - https://uniquelyhuman.com/2024/09/13/gestalt-language-processing-and-natural-language-acquisition-marge-blanc-alex-zachos/ Marge's training through AGOSCI - What's Good About Echolalia? It's Language Development! https://www.agosci.org.au/event-4909602 Podcast Link: https://pod.link/1625478932 Website: www.playlearnchat.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/play.learn.chat Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/play.learn.chat

In this episode, I share the results of a recent survey I ran where almost 40 Autistic people shared their perspectives and experiences with eye contact. I created this survey and am sharing the responses to address the question of 'WHY eye contact is no longer an OK goal for Autistic people'. Listen in to hear the surprising and diverse insights that came through! Read the full responses from all the participants here: www.playlearnchat.com/eye-contact I hope that you will share this podcast episode and that blog post as resources to support other people in your life to understand just some of the differing perspectives and experiences that Autistic folks have around eye contact. I'm keeping this survey open for more responses, so if you're Autistic or you support an Autistic person please feel free to share insights here: www.playlearnchat.com/eye-contact

Podcast Link: https://pod.link/1625478932

Website: www.playlearnchat.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/play.learn.chat

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/play.learn.chat

What a fabulously important (and fun!) chat with Christina Schmidt as she shared perspectives as a Black AuDHDer, Speech Therapist and deep thinker. Join us for some fabulous metaphors, and stay for the essential intersectional and cultural competency discussions. Connect with Christina Schmidt: https://www.freetobemespeech.com.au/ https://www.instagram.com/freetobeme.speech/ https://www.facebook.com/freetobemespeech 2024 Autism in Black Women and Girl's Summit - https://funnel.autisminblack.org/black-autistic-girls-and-womens-summit?aff=Christina-Schmidt Christina's free tool: Improving Cultural Competency: A Practical Resource for SLPs and Teachers - https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Improving-Cultural-Competency-A-Practical-Resource-for-SLPs-and-Teachers-12056756?st=2b5e1be4ea72a0105eb2bee56eef321c Other resources and Black advocates/content creators/educators that we discussed" Article: Is neurodiversity a Global Northern White paradigm? (Nair, V. K., Farah, W., & Boveda, M. (2024). https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/13623613241280835 Other Black AuDHDers:

• Khadija Gbla
• Chenai Mupotsa-Russell
• Alina Gene-Lee

Decolonising resources:

• Decolonising therapy - Dr Jennifer Mullan
• Deconstructing Neuro - T Jamaica Pogue
• Pat Radical Therapist - Patricia
• Check Your Privilege - Myisha T Hill

Other resources:

• Autism in Black
• Autistic - Autism While Black
• Instagram: Black and Neurodiverse
• Instagram: Divine Design Australia
• Books: 'Afrotistic' and 'Autistic and Black - Our Experiences of Growth, Progress and Empowerment' by Kala Allen Omeiza

Podcast Link: https://pod.link/1625478932 Website: www.playlearnchat.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/play.learn.chat Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/play.learn.chat

Today I'm sharing some of the ways that being an ADHDer is a strength for me as a business owner, and a few ways it makes things challenging. If you're listening on my Exploring Neurodiversity Podcast, and you'd like to learn more from me in my 'other hat' where I support Neurodivergent Business owners, here's how you can find me:

• Subscribe to the Differently Aligned Podcast
• Follow me on Instagram @neurodivergent.business
• Through Play. Learn. Chat., my course for Speech Therapists 'Affirming Communication for Autistic Children': https://playlearnchat.com/acac-course/
• Grab 20% off my already-low-cost workbook - The Aligned Business Workbook for Neurodivergent Business Owners. Use code POD20 here: https://courses.ndbusiness.co/offers/kdZKBFa3?coupon_code=POD20